Children exposed to shisha smoke at risk, UAE doctors say

Doctors say smoking shisha around very young children - even in outdoor spaces - can increase the chances of them suffering from a range of serious illnesses.

Children should never be allowed in shisha cafes, even those that are outdoors, doctors warn. Satish Kumar / The National

ABU DHABI // Mothers and fathers are taking their children to shisha cafes and smoking in front of them, despite dire risks to the youngsters’ health.

Experts say smoking shisha near a child, even in open-air spaces, increases the chances of serious illnesses.

“People take their babies with them to shisha cafes and there are people having shisha around the baby,” said Dr Mohamed El Abiary, head of paediatrics at Burjeel Hospital.

“This affects the child. Passive smoking is harmful for everyone but when it comes to babies it is a question of life and death.

“Being exposed to smoke can cause sudden infant death syndrome, in which a healthy baby dies without any clear reason.”

In Abu Dhabi, cafe workers said they often served shisha to adults with children.

Mohammed Hamdy, acting manager at Cafe Layali Zaman in Al Markaziyah, said he did not refuse shisha to parents who took their children along.

“Some kids are 5 or 6 or 7 years old and the father wants to smoke,” Mr Hamdy said.

“Mothers also come with their children.”

Dr El Abiary said passive smoking has major effects on a baby’s abilties to fight infection.

This makes them more prone to colds, chest and ear infections, he said, and older children could suffer from asthma and chest infections.

In Dubai, it is illegal for shisha to be sold to pregnant women or if a child under the age of 18 is present. But in other emirates the law is not so clear.

Dr Wedad Al Maidoor, head of the Ministry of Health’s tobacco control committee, hoped the laws would be clarified and enforced.

“Parents are giving their children a very bad model and making tobacco use seem acceptable,” Dr Al Maidoor said. “People don’t realise this but they are harming their children’s health.”

Dr Siham El Rasoul, consultant paediatric cardiologist at Al Noor Hospital, agreed that shisha was particularly dangerous for children.

“So long as the exposure continues, these children may end up with a debilitating, chronic lung disease,” Dr El Rasoul said.

“Passive smoking may induce asthma in children or aggravate a persisting problem. Children of smoking adults are more likely to become smokers themselves.”

Dr Farida Al Hosani, director of public health for Health Authority Abu Dhabi, said: “There are many misconceptions about shisha here and people think it may be less harmful or safe to use.

“Sometimes you can see families sitting and doing shisha.”

While Haad had been trying to warn people about the harm of shisha, the message had not reached everyone yet, Dr Al Hosani said.

“We are trying to educate the public, especially the mothers and parents, about the harm of shisha. Even if they are exposed to this shisha smoke, they are being harmed.

“The fruity smell tricks them into thinking it is safe for their kids and this is a false reassurance.”

Myrogen Santiago, a supervisor at Le Boulanger cafe on the Corniche, said: “Many families come here with their children and the parents order shisha.

“I have wondered why they take their children with them.”

It is illegal to sell tobacco products to children under the age of 18. UAE law also prohibits smoking in cars if the child is under 12.